Southwold RNLI offers safety advice to dog walkers ahead of Easter weekend
The RNLI is urging dog owners to take extra care around Southwold harbour following the lifeboat station's 3rd callout in a month to a dog in the river.
Southwold RNLI volunteers were paged by Humber Coastguard at 1pm on Monday 14 April, following reports of a dog in the River Blyth.
A one-year-old fox red Labrador, had been walking on the beach when he fell into the water from the harbour wall on the Walberswick side of the River Blyth. His owners, visiting Suffolk from London, quickly called for help.
The Southwold Atlantic 85 lifeboat Annie Tranmer was swiftly launched, making the short crossing to assist. The crew successfully brought the young dog aboard the lifeboat, ensuring his safety.
He was then transported a short distance upriver to Walberswick Quay, where he was reunited with his relieved owners.
The lifeboat then returned to station to be washed down, refuelled and readied for service again.
Commenting afterwards, RNLI Launch Authority, Bob Curtis said: 'At 1pm the crew were tasked to rescue a young Labrador that had entered the water near to the harbour entrance and was unable to get back to land, we were very pleased to be able to reunite the pet with his owner.
'Remember never enter the water after your pet, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'
This marks the third incident in a month involving dogs falling into the river. With the busy Easter weekend approaching, dog owners are urged to keep their pets on leads in the Southwold Harbour area, especially around the dunes on Walberswick beach.
The RNLI offers the following safety advice for dog walking,- Keep your dog on a lead if you're close to cliff edges or the water’s edge.
- If your dog goes into the water or gets stuck in mud, don’t go in after them. Move to a place where the dog could get out easily and call them – they will probably get out by themselves.
- If you’re worried your dog can't get out, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
- Find out more at: rnli.org/topdog
For more information, please contact Jeremy Taylor, Southwold RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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